Operation Enjoying Freedom

5k set for Oct. 25

Portsmouth Elks Lodge is proud to announce that their Inaugural Veteran’s Recognition 5K Run/Walk will be held on Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.

The name, “Operation Enjoying Freedom” was chosen by Race Director, Reece Brown to provide additional recognition to those that served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

“We have a lot of veterans from these two recent Operations that we should recognize by becoming a more active community, and Enjoying those Freedoms that they sacrificed their lives for,” said Brown.

Registration, start, and finish are all going to be on the 4th Street side of the Elks City Club. This venue will be complete with a large indoor registration area, restrooms, refreshments, and awards. Brown will be sponsoring the cash prizes, which will go to the Top 3 Males and Top 3 Females Overall ($100, $75, and $50). Registration will be on www.tristateracer.com and will start-out at $15, but increase to $20 after October 5th.

All pre-registered participants will receive a t-shirt designed by Connor Sherman of Print My Threads and a Bumper sticker with the race logo. Race-day registration will be allowed for $15, but will not include a T-shirt.

The course was designed by Reece, Greg Potts, and Chad Phipps to showcase the historic Boneyfiddle District, the riverfront, the levee, and the area behind SSU.

“The most unique aspect of this race will be the sponsorships,” said Brown. Sponsors have the ability to list-out friends/family that are Veteran’s/active/inactive service members, and each name gets their own unique sign. Business sponsorships start at $100, and come with 2 free Veteran signs. Those sponsors can purchase additional signs for $10/each.

Brown says he was full of emotion when he got the first sponsorship list from Staker’s Drugs that had 12 service members. “When I was making signs for each of these people, and writing down their years/branch of service, I felt a cool connection to each of them. Some of them served in the 1960’s, while others were active service 2014 to present. It’s also really emotional to make the signs for my family members such as Mike Brown, Dick Brown, John Phillips, and Wib Doddridge.”

Reece predicts that there will likely be over 100 of these signs along the course this year, but next year could easily top 200. Proceeds from the event will go to the Portsmouth Elks Lodge, and the Chillicothe VA’s Thanksgiving Day Dinner. If you are interested in participating, volunteering, or sponsoring please contact Reece Brown at rbrown.bpoe154@gmail.com or (740) 821-1904. Brown would especially like to recognize Greg Potts for his support/help with this event, and Bill Carson for his leadership of the lodge throughout the year.